JESSICA LARK and Matthew Jones secured a double success story for Upton High School at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.

The duo celebrated victories at the opening round of the West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Race Series which attracted 262 pupils.

Lark won the year eight girls race in a time of 10 minutes 27 seconds, ahead of runner-up Aimee Phillips (Whitby) and Ruby Carlile (Christleton) in third spot.

Jones grabbed glory in the year eight boys race with a time of 10:27, ahead of second-placed Zak Ireland (Bishop Heber) and Andrew Barratt (Bishops Bluecoat) in third position.

Christleton duo Finlay Palmer and Bailey Graham finished first and second respectively in the year seven boys race, while Sophie Haslam (Plessington St John’s), Cerys Rowlands (Whitby) and Molly Brennan (Christleton) were first, second and third respectively in the year seven girls event.

Tom Yates (Newton) clocked a winning time of 4:08 in the year six boys race, eight seconds clear of runner-up Theo Sheppard (Tattenhall) and third placed Jacob Pauley (St Martin’s Academy).

Ruby Phillips (Sutton Green) won the year six girls race in 4:07, ahead of runner-up Charlotte Noon (Saughall All Saints) and third placed Jemima Blackwood (Upton Heath).

Thomas Rimmer (Overleigh St Marys) posted a winning time of 4:12 in the year five boys race, seven seconds clear of runner up Hugo McLintock (Mill View) and third placed Jonathan Gordon (Newton).

Miley McNab (St Clare’s) triumphed in the year five girls race with a time of 4:32, 15 seconds ahead of runner-up Sophie Taylor (King’s) who was second, and third-placed Edith Carr (Acresfield).

Leo Anstey (Boughton Heath) registered a winning time of 2:49 in the year four boys race, just three seconds clear of runner-up Dylan Chandler (Christleton) and third-placed Louis Gardner (Boughton Heath).

Maya Jennings (Belgrave) won the year four girls race in 3:03, just two seconds ahead of runner-up Anna Birkett-Evans (The Firs), with India Skyrme-Walker (King’s) in third spot.

Ben Brassington (Newton) clocked 2:58 for victory in the year three boys race, ahead of runner-up Noah Booth (Upton Heath) and third-placed Michael Gray (Newton).

Olivia Zarac (Upton Heath) won the year three girls event in 3:13, four seconds clear of Willaston duo Emma Gauller and Iasabelle Wilson who were second and third respectively.

Anthony Spruce (pictured, top right) was in action at the Ironman Wales event at Tenby and completed the course in 12 hours 53 minutes 54 seconds.

Fixtures this weekend include the opening round of the North Staffs Cross Country League at Knights Grange, Winsford, on Saturday (12 noon start), the Final Flings Competition at Queensway Stadium, Wrexham, on Saturday and Sunday (9.30am start both days), the Sandstone Trail Race between Duckington and Beeston on Sunday (10am start), and the Chester Primary Schools Cross Country Championships on Monday, September 30.

Forthcoming fixtures include the North Wales Cross Country League first round at Wrexham on Saturday, October 5, the North West Indoor Sportshall Athletics League at Crewe on Sunday, October 6; and the MBNA Chester Marathon and Metric Marathon on Sunday, October 6.

Further details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk